Method and system for concurrent error identification in resource scheduling

ABSTRACT

A method and system for handling real-time indications of resource scheduling conflicts. In one embodiment, the method includes a computer system including a user interface, display, processor, and some form of memory. Contained within the memory is a resource scheduling process that analyzes resource data, scheduling criteria, and work parameters to create a working schedule. In conjunction with the creation of a working schedule, the scheduling process detects resource conflicts that can inhibit the schedule&#39;s functionality. Once detected an identification process conveys the error to the user concurrently with the schedule process to provide the user with a real-time indication of resource conflicts. The indication is presented in an unobtrusive manner so as to not interfere or impede the scheduling process. In addition, should the specific resource causing the conflict be identifiable, the indication process conveys that information in a similar real-time methodology.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of real-time error handling. Moreparticularly this invention relates to the real-time handling ofresource scheduling conflicts and resolution of those conflicts in acomplex scheduling environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resource scheduling is a complex task that requires satisfaction ofseveral potentially conflicting goals and constraints. In a complexenvironment a resource scheduling algorithm may reach its conclusionwith several unfulfilled goals and exceptions. These unfulfilled goalsfrustrate the intended result of a working resource schedule. One suchcomplex environment of resource scheduling is call center forecastingand agent scheduling. In this complex and diverse setting, a significantamount of configuration and parameter specifications must be done viauser interfaces before a final result can be produced. Existingapplications for resource scheduling do not adequately produce anunobtrusive interactive mechanism for warning the user of parameter orconfiguration selections that are likely to result in poor performanceor failure of the schedule.

Current algorithms produce warnings or an indication of a conflict thatinterrupt the scheduling process. Present scheduling systems, known toone skilled in the art, use modal interfaces to detect and inform theuser of errors. Errors that are detected in mid-stream of the user workforcibly interrupt the user with a warning message. This warning messageprevents the user from continuing work without at least acknowledgingits presence. These warning mechanisms are rigid in their applicationand, if disabled, are completely ineffective at providing any type offailure notification. For example, this warning process is accomplishedthrough a series of programmed communications between the errordetection program and the primary scheduling program that results in thescheduling operations ceasing.

The prior art fails to provide an unobtrusive or concurrent means tonotify a user of a resource scheduling conflict. By forcing the user tointeract with a warning or notification of a pending error, theefficiency of the scheduling process suffers. If the user elects todismiss the warning, no further indication is present to convey to theuser that the conflict is still present. Furthermore, should a userelect to correct the conflict upon receiving notification, the user isrequired to navigate independently in the program to the position in theprogram that contains the cause of the conflict, which is bothinefficient and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method and system for handling real-time identification andnotification of resource scheduling conflicts is described. In oneembodiment, the claimed method works concurrently with a resourcescheduling process to indicate to the user in an unobtrusive manner thata resource conflict has occurred. The user, upon selecting theindication of an error, is provided with a description of the conflictand the option of suppressing or resolving the resource conflict. Inanother embodiment the indication is represented by a visual depictionof a stoplight located at the lower right comer of the display. Thecolors red and yellow are used to depict unsuppressed and suppressedconflicts respectively. One skilled in the art will recognize that theidentification and notification of the conflict may be through anynumber of media including but not limited to visual, aural, or tactilemeans.

If the user elects to resolve the resource conflict, one embodimentprovides a hyperlink utilizing ordinary Hypertext Markup Language(“HTML”) to link the user to the corresponding portion of the schedulingprocess where the conflict exists. Furthermore, should the user elect touse the hyperlink to access the appropriate page, the entry that iscreating the conflict is highlighted for ease of identification. Oncethe conflict has been resolved, the real-time indication, in thisembodiment the stoplight, will revert to a green light indicating thatno resource conflicts exists. Conversely if the user elects to suppressthe conflict the red light will change to yellow and remain illuminateduntil the suppressed conflict is resolved. Should a new conflict arise,both the red light and the yellow light will illuminate indicating thatsuppressed as well as unsuppressed resource conflicts exist. Throughoutthese indications of conflicts the functionality of the schedulingprocess remains unaffected and the user is unimpeded should he or shedecide to ignore the conflict indication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a network system forreal-time resource scheduling error identification.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification showing a conflict situation.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification showing a situation with no resource conflicts.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification showing a conflict description and resolutionwindow.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification associated with specific resources.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification illustrating a typical list of rule based conflictsassociated with a specific resource.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification showing a calendar based conflict associated with aspecific resource.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of an embodiment for real-time resource schedulingerror identification showing a resolution window associated with acalendar conflict of a specific resource.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of concurrent real-timeerror identification according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and method for real-time handling of error identification andnotification in complex environments, such as call centers, aredescribed. In the description that follows, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in theart that the method and system presented may be practiced without thesespecific details.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a system, 100, for providing a real-timeidentification and notification of resource scheduling conflicts. Thesystem includes multiple client computers, 102-105, which are coupled tothe server, 106, through a network, 108. The network, 108, can be anynetwork, such as a local area network, a wide area network, or theInternet. The client computers each include one or more processors andone or more storage devices. Each of the client computers also includesa display device, and one or more input devices. All of the storagedevices store various data and software programs. In one embodiment, themethod for providing a real-time indication of resource conflicts in aresource scheduling process is carried out on the system, 100, bysoftware instructions executing on one or more of the client computers,102-105. The software instructions may be stored on the server, 106, oron any one of the client computers. For example, one embodiment presentsa hosted application used by a call center of an enterprise thatrequires complex scheduling of many employees. The software instructionsare stored on the server and accessed through the network by a clientcomputer operator of the enterprise. In other embodiments, the softwareinstructions may be stored and executed on the client computer. A userof the client computer with the help of a user interface can enter datarequired for the execution of the software instructions. Data requiredfor the execution of the software instructions can also be accessed viathe network and can be stored anywhere on the network.

One embodiment of a method for providing a real-time identification ofresource conflicts during a scheduling process can be used in the callcenter environment. A call center is an organization that answers andresponds to telephone calls from customers for one or more particularorganizations. Call centers also respond to other customer contacts,such as e-mail, faxes, voice over Internet protocol, and web chat. Suchcenters possess a plurality of resources. A resource can be theequipment, the employees, the facilities, or any other asset thatfacilitates the business in achieving its purpose. In a call center theindividual employees answering the calls are agents and each possesses aparticular skill set. Each employee is therefore an example of aresource with specialized skills. For example one agent may be able torespond to technical problems, another may specialize in billingquestions and still another may specialize in taking product orders.Each agent likely possesses multiple skill sets and a call centermanager's challenge is to optimize the agents' schedules so as tomaximize the utilization of these skill sets without compromising thefunctionality of the center, thus minimizing cost.

As the call center schedule is developed, minor modifications in anemployee's availability schedule or the call center's resourcerequirements can require the entire schedule to be regenerated. Numerousworking parameters and employee criteria are established to ensure theprofitability and efficiency of day to day operations. Considerationssuch as the maximum number of hours worked per pay period per employee,the maximum period of work without a break, or the necessity for atleast two experienced call agents to be on call at any one time areexamples of such criteria and parameters. In one embodiment of thepresent method, as a scheduler inputs changes into a working schedule, areal-time indication is presented to the user if the alteration in theschedule affects a parameter or criteria adversely and will impair theoverall functionality of the schedule.

Real-time indications are a result of the scheduling program constantlyrecalculating the viability of the proposed data into a workingschedule. As new data is input the entire schedule is reconfigured andchecked for conflicts without any interface or input by the user otherthan the original entry of the data. The feedback to the user of anyconflicts is immediate. For example, an alteration of an agent's abilityto maintain a work shift may have dramatic overall affects. Since theagent possesses a certain skill set and the call center must bemaintained with a minimum level of skilled individuals, the deletion ofthe agent's skills from the working schedule may result in the centerbeing understaffed for a particular period. In such a situation thereal-time error identification system would present, in one embodiment,a red light depicted as, but not limited to, a stoplight at the bottomof the display to notify the user of the conflict.

The indication would occur as soon as the user altered the employee'sschedule. Since the indication of the error is unobtrusive, meaning thatthe display of the conflict or scheduling problem would not interferewith the normal operation of the scheduling program, the user cancontinue to alter the schedule as he or she feels fit. Thus, if in thisexample the user was aware that the alteration of the agent's workschedule would present a problem but has already envisioned a resolutionof the conflict, the user need not waste time by having to interact withwarning system needlessly. Upon seeing the indication of a conflict, theuser could input the potential solution and see if the red light isremoved indicating the conflict has been resolved thus validating theenvisioned solution.

Likewise, in another embodiment, a user can first become aware of aconflict through the real-time identification system. In this situationif a user alters the schedule, the concurrent identification willunobtrusively notify him or her that a problem exists. The systemdescribed in this embodiment does not require the entire form orschedule to be completed before an error is detected. The user in thisembodiment can select the identification symbol, the red light in thiscase, and be presented with a new window containing a description of theconflict as well as a proposed solution. The user can then elect tosuppress or ignore the conflict resulting in the illumination of ayellow light in the stoplight depiction or select a hyperlink locatedwithin the description that will open the primary scheduling processwindow centered on the functional area containing the conflict. Thewindow containing the conflict will further have the entry causing theproblem highlighted for easy recognition. With the conflict resolved,the new window can be closed and the original scheduling processcontinued without the presence of an error indication.

If the user elects to suppress the conflict, the yellow light indicationwill remain illuminated until the conflict is resolved. The suppressionof the conflict does not impede the real-time identification of otherconflicts. If an additional conflict is identified, a new red lightindication is displayed in conjunction with the yellow light indicatinga new conflict as well the multiple warnings or conflicts that aresuppressed. Selection of the conflict identification will, in thisembodiment, present not only descriptions and potential solutions of thecurrent conflict but of the suppressed conflicts as well. Further, ifmultiple conflicts exist that are not suppressed, selecting the redlight will list all of the conflicts for the user's review. Theresolution of the resource conflict removes the scheduling error andcancels any indication present. This can be accomplished by followingadvice given in the resolution window or by disregarding the potentialsolution and inputting a different change that will alleviate theconflict.

An additional embodiment provides the user with a means to associate aconflict with a particular resource and provides a real-time indicationof that association to the user. As with the previous embodiments, theidentification and handling of resource conflicts occurs concurrentlywith the primary scheduling process. Once a conflict occurs, anindication of the conflict is presented to the user in such a manner asto not interfere with his or her use of the application. In addition tothe real-time communication of a problem, this embodiment provides amethod wherein the specific resource associated with or causing theconflict is readily identified to the user.

In one embodiment, a visual indication or symbol is placed next to theresource that is associated with a conflict. Furthermore, this method ofidentification can differentiate the type of conflicts associated witheach resource. If, for example, the conflict is rule based such asexceeding the maximum number of hours worked per week, this embodimentconveys this information to user without interrupting the schedulingprocess by placing a symbol next to the resource. Likewise if a conflictis due to a scheduled meeting or similar calendar event, the method cansimilarly communicate such information to the user without disruptingthe normal operation of the scheduling process. In one embodiment themethod places a visual indication such as an exclamation mark or anyother form of visual symbol next to the conflicted resource and altersthe color of the exclamation mark based on the type of conflict.Likewise the indication could be aural or any other similar medium tocommunicate the identification of a conflict to the user. If, in thisembodiment, the exclamation mark is blue the conflict associated withthat employee rises from a rule problem whereas if the exclamation markis red the problem is based in a conflict with a meeting or othercalendar events. These and other depictions are described in thefollowing diagrams.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of a Recorded Call Volumes page, 220, of anembodiment for real-time identification and notification of resourceconflicts. In this embodiment the depiction of a stoplight, 210,presents an indication of a resource conflict to the user. Here, thestoplight can be found in the lower rightmost comer of the window withthe left, 230, red light illuminated indicating that a conflict exists.The stoplight, or any other suitable depiction to convey the existenceof a resource conflict, can be located at a plurality of locations onthe window. The stoplight in this embodiment is configured as a singlerow of lights in a horizontal orientation near the navigation and homeicons located in lower right hand corner of the window. The stoplightdepicts a conventional configuration of a traffic signal with a redlight being the furthermost left light, the green light beingfurthermost to the right, and a yellow light in the center. FIG. 3 isdepiction of an Operations Parameters page, 320, of an embodiment foridentification and notification of resource conflicts where no conflictsexist. This window possesses a similar stoplight, 310, as describedabove which is also located in the lower right corner. In thisembodiment the stoplight has the far right, 330, green light illuminatedindicating to the user that no resource conflicts are present. In eitherof these embodiments using a stoplight pictogram for indicating aresource conflict, the center light, if illuminated, would be yellow andwould indicate that a conflict or multiple conflicts have beensuppressed by the user.

FIG. 4 depicts the resolution window of one embodiment of a method forreal-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts. This windowappears after an indication of a conflict has been presented to theuser, such as a red light illustrated above, and the user has clicked onthe light to view the potential solution in an effort to resolve theconflict. The window in FIG. 4 indicates that there are multipleconflicts to be resolved, 410 and 420. The error identification programidentifies and informs the user of the location of the potential problemon the top line, 430. In this embodiment the conflict has been found ina shift named “New Shift,” 440. The method has determined that New Shiftdoes not have a start time and is in violation of a program rule. Thewindow offers a solution to the conflict by stating that New Shift musthave at least one valid start time. Furthermore, this embodimentpresents a hyperlink, 450, to the location in the scheduling programwhere correct start times should be input. If the user selects thehyperlink “here,” 450, the program will open a window where the user candefine a start time thus resolving the conflict. The new window willhighlight the area that must be altered to resolve the conflict. Alsodepicted in FIG. 4 are two suppress buttons, 460, associated with thetwo displayed conflicts. These buttons allow the user to suppress thecurrent conflicts and illuminate the yellow light in the stoplightpictogram.

FIG. 5 is a Calendar page, 520 using one embodiment of a method foridentification and notification of resource conflicts where conflictsare associated with specific resources. The depiction shows a schedulecalendar for the date Monday, Jan. 29, 2001. Under the date, 530, is aplurality of columns including one categorizing the resource beingscheduled as “employee”. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 thereare ten resources 540, all of the category “employee”. To the right ofthe category listing is another column that individually identifies eachresource. This column contains employee identification numbers 550,which include empl#1 through empl#10, 550. In this embodiment, for theresources identified as empl#1, 560, empl#2, 570, and empl#4, 580, anexclamation mark 590 is located in the column immediately adjacent tothe employee identification number. This exclamation mark 590 indicatesthat there is a resource conflict associated with each of employees 560,570 and 580.

An additional embodiment further allows the user to review all theconflicts associated with a particular resource and individually selectwhich conflicts are to be resolved. FIG. 6 is a Conflicts page, 620, ofan embodiment of the method for identification and notification ofresource conflicts in which an employee has been associated with aconflict and the user has chosen to review the conflicts. After the userclicks on the associated symbol, a list of conflicts associated withthat resource is displayed, 630. In FIG. 6 empl#1 has three rule basedconflicts 630.

FIG. 7 presents another embodiment including a Calendar page 720. Shownon the Calendar page 720 is a calendar conflict, 730, associated withempl#2. As depicted in FIG. 7, the calendar conflict is resolvable byselecting the button on the bottom of the page, 740. By selecting theresolution button, 740, one embodiment opens a new window on top of theconflict window to offer possible solutions and also to present links tothe area of the program where alterations to the resource's utilizationcan be made.

FIG. 8 depicts a Resolve Calendar Conflict page, 820, which gives theuser an interactive means to correct the conflict. The conflict isrepeated to the user, 830, and then, in this embodiment, two resolutionchoices are presented to the user, 840 and 850. In one embodiment, theuser is presented with a solution that marks emlp#2 as not attending themeeting thus removing the calendar conflict, 840. The user may alsoignore the conflict until a new schedule is created, 850. Having made achoice, the user than can apply the selection, cancel the resolutionprocess, or seek additional help by using the three interactive “Apply,Cancel, and Help” buttons located at the bottom of the page, 860.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of concurrent real-timeerror identification according to an embodiment. The process begins at902 when a user of a scheduling system enters new data. In oneembodiment, an error identification method operates within andconcurrent with the primary resource scheduling process and analyzesdata for any conflicts. While error identification and notification ofresource conflicts can operate independently of the primary resourcescheduling process, in one embodiment error identification is a part ofa primary resource scheduling process.

At 904, it is determined whether a conflict exists, If no conflictexists, a green light is displayed to the user at 908. If a conflictdoes exist, it is determined at 909 whether the conflict is resourcespecific, for example, whether the conflict relates to a particularemployee. If the conflict is resource specific, it is determined at 910whether the conflict is rule based or calendar based. If the conflict isrule base, a blue exclamation point is displayed at 911. If the conflictis calendar base, a red exclamation point is displayed at 913.

Referring again to block 909, if it is determined the conflict is notresource specific, it is then determined at 914 whether the conflict hasbeen previously suppressed. If the conflict is suppressed, it is thendetermined at 915 whether there are other conflicts that areunsuppressed. If there are other conflicts that are unsuppressed, both ared and a yellow light are displayed at 918. If there are nounsuppressed conflicts, a green light is displayed at 920.

Referring again to 914, if the conflict is not suppressed, a red lightis displayed at 916.

When a red, green or yellow light is displayed, the user can then clickon the light for further information. If the user clicks on the redlight, a new window containing an HTML page is generated describing theconflict and suggesting potential solutions. To do this, one embodimentutilizes a warning template file and the Windows registry.

If the user clicks on the yellow indication light, an HTML page isgenerated describing the suppressed conflict or conflicts and potentialsolutions. Contained within the new HTML page is a hyperlink thatconnects the user to the specific window within the primary schedulingresource software where the conflicted resource can be altered. If theuser clicks on the hyperlink, one embodiment communicates with theprimary resource scheduling software, causing the display of thespecific window necessary to modify the data causing the error.Additionally, the data that should be altered is highlighted tofacilitate resolving the conflict. If the user elects to suppress theconflict, the conflict is marked appropriately and stored in the Windowsregistry. If the user elects to un-suppress the conflict, an HTML pageis generated based on the new unsuppressed conflict.

From the above description and drawings, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that the particular embodiments shown anddescribed are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.References to details of particular embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claims.

1. A computer implemented method for performing complex resource scheduling of many resources, the method comprising: providing a real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts during the computer-implemented method; analyzing resource scheduling data including real-time detection of resource conflicts, wherein resource conflicts include rule based conflicts and calendar based conflicts; generating an indication that a resource conflict exists concurrent with the computer-implemented method; and in response to a user input, automatically continuing with the scheduling method without resolving the conflict, including detecting further resource conflicts and generating further indications that resource conflicts exist.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting to the user, upon selection, a description of the resource conflict.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting includes providing the user the choice to suppress the resource conflict.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting include providing the user a potential resolution of the resource conflict.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential resolution further comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling method allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a visual representation.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the visual representation includes using colors to represent resource conflicts, including red to represent unsuppressed resource conflicts and yellow to represent suppressed resource conflicts.
 8. A system for providing real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts in a resource scheduling process, the system comprising: a user interface receiving data from a user; a processor coupled to the user interface, wherein the processor is capable of executing instructions; a display device coupled to the processor; and a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device storing instructions comprising a resource scheduling software application for performing complex scheduling of many resources, the application comprising, a resource scheduling process, wherein the resource scheduling process includes, analyzing agent data, analyzing scheduling criteria, and detecting resource conflicts; and an error identification process, wherein the error identification process is concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein descriptions of identified resource conflicts and potential resolutions of the identified resource conflicts are conveyed to the user concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein the resource scheduling process is configured such that normal operation of the scheduling process is independent of resolution of any conflicts.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the potential resolutions of the identified resource conflicts-include hyperlinks to relevant portions of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the real-time indication includes a visual representation.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.
 12. A computer-readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to: analyze resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process and detect a resource conflict; convey unobtrusively to a user an indication that the resource conflict exists concurrently with the resource scheduling process; and present to the user, upon selecting the indication, a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the conflict, wherein the user may elect to continue normal operation of the resource scheduling process without resolving any conflicts, including conveying to the user indications that at least one further conflict exists.
 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the executable instruction, when executed, further allow the user to suppress the resource conflict wherein suppressing comprises allowing the resource scheduling process to continue while the resource conflict persists.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the executable instruction, when executed, present a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process where the resource conflict is resolved.
 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the indication includes a visual representation.
 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.
 17. A system for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts, the system comprising: at least one server comprising at least one storage device storing executable instructions; at least one client processor coupled to the server through a network, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one client processor to, analyze agent data and scheduling criteria to detect a resource conflict; concurrently convey an identification of the resource conflict; present, upon selection, a description of the resource conflict; present a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict; and generate a resource schedule in the presence of unresolved conflicts, including detecting further conflicts.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the instructions include providing the user the choice to suppress the resource conflict.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the potential solution comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource conflict to be resolved.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the indication include a visual representation.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the visual representation includes using a first color for an unsuppressed conflict and a second color for a suppressed conflict.
 22. A method for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for performing complex scheduling of a plurality of resources, the method: analyzing resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process including real-time detection of resource conflicts; providing a real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts during execution of the computer program, including a visual indication; receiving a user input to suppress the resource conflict, wherein the visual indication of the resource conflict uses a first color for unsuppressed resource conflicts and a second color for suppressed resource conflicts, and wherein suppression of the resource conflict allows the computer program to continue executing to generate a complex schedule with at least one unresolved conflict; presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved.
 23. A method for providing real-time identifications of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for automatically generating complex resource schedules, the method comprising: analyzing resource scheduling data including real-time detection of resource conflicts; conveying unobtrusively to a user an indication that a resource conflict exists, wherein the conveying of the indication of the resource conflict occurs concurrently with the resource scheduling process and wherein the indication of a resource conflict includes identifying at least one resource associated with the resource conflict; and presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential resolution of the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved; if no input is received in response to the indication, continuing with generating the complex schedule, wherein the complex schedule includes the conflict.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein presenting includes providing the user a choice to suppress the resource conflict.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein presenting includes providing the user a choice of viewing the description of the resource conflict.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the potential solution further comprises a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein conveying an indication includes a visual representation.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the visual representation includes a first color for an unsuppressed resource conflict and a second color for a suppressed resource conflict.
 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the resource conflicts include conflict of multiple different types, and wherein identifying includes indicating a type of a resource conflict.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the multiple different types include a rule-based conflict and a calendar based conflict.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the multiple different types are visually represented including using a third color for a rule-based conflict and a fourth color for a calendar based conflict.
 32. A method for generating a resource schedule including concurrent error identification, the method comprising: receiving scheduling data in a resource scheduling process, including receiving data input by a user; determining whether a conflict exists on the basis of the received data, including determining whether a conflict is a resource specific conflict; determining whether a resource specific conflict is rule based or calendar based; presenting the user with the option to view additional information about a conflict; and presenting the user with the option to suppress a conflict, wherein suppressing a conflict comprises saving information related to the conflict and generating the resource schedule including the unresolved conflict.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising presenting the user with a hyperlink to a location in a resource scheduling process at which a determined conflict may be resolved by the user. 